Camilla to be Counsellor of State?

[tommy1716]

Just been reading an article on Counsellors of State and it said that aswell as the four people next in line to the throne after the moanrch, the monarch's consort is also eligable to be a Counsellor of State. Thus when Charles becomes King this will mean Camilla will be able to act as a Counsellor when Charles is away. I am right or not? Or do you think they might change the rules?

[Elspeth]

Yes, you're right; the consort is eligible to be a Counsellor of State. I see no reason why they'd change that law; whether Camilla is Queen or Princess Consort, she'd still be the consort and still be an HRH or HM.

The Regency Act was amended early in Elizabeth II's reign to allow the Queen Mother to act as a Counsellor of State even though she was no longer the consort of the sovereign. So in fact if Camilla outlives Charles, there's precedent for her to continue to be a Counsellor of State in William's reign.

[JessRulz]

What exactly does a Councellor of State do? Is it like the Scandinavian Crown Princes begin Regent while their father/mother is out of the country?

[Elspeth]

Pretty much, I think. The Counsellors of State take on some of the Queen's official duties while she's out of the country or incapacitated.

[diamondBrg]

Oh I bet this is going to go over REAL BIG with the cheering club of Diana.

[sirhon11234]

Originally Posted by diamondBrg

Oh I bet this is going to go over REAL BIG with the cheering club of Diana.

If Camilla wants to be a Counsellor of State then she should be.

[jcbcode99]

Well, THAT is very interesting--I had no idea that the consort had that type of influence? power? what word are we looking for here?

[LadyGabrielle]

Sooooo, this means what? She could start a war? She could behead someone if she wanted? Are you saying she will automatically gain that role or would she have to be given the role? I dont know what I think about that really. I think she should stick to being a wife and step-mum and not be given so much power. Thats kinda scary. I would hope that someone would be absolutely sure she is prepared to take on such an important role before she would even be considered for something that important. Dont mean to sound sarcastic, just wondering.

[BeatrixFan]

Basically, it means that if the monarch is out of the country the Counsellors of State can take the monarch's place. However, two CoSs have to be present. They can do the red boxes, recieve ambassadors, attend privy council meets and pretty much anything else the monarch delegates to them. Before they leave the country, the monarch names the Counsellors who'll be doing her duty in the UK whilst they are absent. For example, when the Queen visited Malta in 2005 Charles, William and Harry were Counsellors of State. All this would mean is that if Charles went anywhere as King without Camilla, the Counsellors of State would be Camilla, William and Harry.

[Lady Marmalade]

This is something I would have expected as she will be consort. This has nothing to do with like/dislike Camilla v Diana....this is simply the law and precedence, like it or not, kids. :-)

[BeatrixFan]

I quite like it.

[jcbcode99]

I quite agree, BeatrixFan!

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by LadyGabrielle

Sooooo, this means what? She could start a war? She could behead someone if she wanted?.

We don't behead anyone nowadays.

[CasiraghiTrio]

^No beheadings, but unfortunately the death penalty is carried out other ways.
Anyway related to the topic, Camilla would be a brilliant CoS. She'll be grand at receiving ambassadors, awarding MBE's, etc.

[BeatrixFan]

News to me. Britain doesn't use the death penalty any more.

Totally agree about Camilla. When I get that Knighthood I think I'll request she does the dubbing.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

^No beheadings, but unfortunately the death penalty is carried out other ways.
Anyway related to the topic, Camilla would be a brilliant CoS. She'll be grand at receiving ambassadors, awarding MBE's, etc.

As BeatrixFan has already said, we don't have a death penalty.

[CasiraghiTrio]

^ Sorry, ladies, I know my Off Topic comment was confusing because you were talking about Britain. Accept with my apology this: Hoorah for Britain, and me hopes one day the US won't have it either.

[iowabelle]

It wouldn't be inappropriate for Camilla to take on this role, especially since her powers would be limited to those of the monarch... and the UK is a constitutional monarchy. I'm sure she would be very conscientious about carrying out her husband's wishes.